Google and INCUBATE expand student entrepreneur program

Google and INCUBATE just announced they will collaborating to expand INCUBATE’s entrepreneur development program to universities across Australia, demonstrating their commitment to investing in the future of Australian innovation.

INCUBATE is an award-winning startup accelerator and entrepreneur program open to students and alumni at the University of Sydney. The program encourages entrepreneurship, promotes calculated risk-taking and supports the creation of startup ventures.

Google will help INCUBATE expand across universities in Australia by providing financial support as well as access to Google technology, platforms and mentors. They will also help connect participating startups with established entrepreneurs.

“INCUBATE has fostered the first startup community at Sydney University, helping launch 16 new startups and encouraging even more students to consider the entrepreneur path,” says James Alexander, Program Manager of INCUBATE.

“With Google’s help, we want to take the accelerator program to other campuses to create Australia’s first national network of global-thinking entrepreneurs at universities.”

Along with metropolitan universities, Alexander says INCUBATE is keen on partnering with regional universities because “there is a lot of opportunity for disruption in various industries specific to regional communities.”

Alan Noble, Engineering Director for Google Australia, says Google is passionate about working with entrepreneurs and supporting startup communities worldwide.

“We hope many of Australia’s future entrepreneurial leaders get their first startup experience via this program, and help contribute to our growing tech startup community,” he adds.

Google will also help INCUBATE run a national demo day early next year to showcase the top startups from the national program.

INCUBATE is seeking partner universities, student startups and experienced entrepreneurs to be part of this initiative. Register at incubate.org.au/national for more information about joining the national program.